"You can put me down now," Lumina said, the moment they got into their chambers.
Ashen blinked, startled at her sudden change in character. "What?"
Her lips curved into a smirk, faint but mischievous. "I said, put me down, Ashen."
He obeyed, gently lowering her to the padded chaise near the window. She sat with her hands smoothing her gown as though she could feel every wrinkle. Then her smirk deepened.
"How come your family is this daft?" Ashen stiffened, eyes narrowing at her choice of words.
"What?"
She tilted her head, sightless eyes still somehow managing to hold weight.
"One word from me and you believe it. Just like that. Is it always this easy to fool you?"
He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his raven-black hair as he stepped back. "Why would you say that?"
Lumina chuckled, low and sharp. "Because it's true… One sentence from me and you are flaring around.."
